Why Eat Cheese?

Cheese has been part of the British diet for centuries. Virtually every household in the UK buys cheese and, according to a recent British Cheese Board survey, 31% of adult respondents said that cheese is their favourite food. Not only do we enjoy it, but it also helps toward the intake of a number of essential nutrients required for good health. From the same British Cheese Board survey, 66% of respondents believe that cheese is good for you because it contains calcium. Here are the facts:

Hard cheese is a source of calcium, which is essential for maintaining strong teeth and healthy bones.

A matchbox sized portion of Cheddar (30g) contains 222mg of calcium, just over 30% of the reference nutrient intake (RNI) for adults. A 15g portion of Cheddar cheese will provide just over 30% of the RNI for 1-3 year olds and 19% for 7-10 year olds.

Hard cheese is a source of protein, an important contributor to growth and development. A 25g portion of Cheddar provide 22% of the RNI for adults.

Cheese contains saturated fat. The government recommends for most individuals intake of saturated fat should be reduced so that it accounts for 11% of food calories. For that reason, the British Cheese Board recommends eating cheese in moderation as part of a healthy balanced diet. Reduced-fat hard cheeses are available in most supermarkets.